Train operation control apparatus, operation management apparatus, train control system, and train operation method

Abstract

A train operation control apparatus mounted on a train includes: a non-contact range sensor that measures a first train interval between a rear end of a preceding train traveling ahead of the train and a head of the train; another non-contact range sensor that measures a second train interval between a head of a following train traveling behind the train and a rear end of the train; and on-board control transmission apparatus that, when being instructed to start control using the second train interval, controls operation of the train using the second train interval on the basis of an instruction from an operation management apparatus that controls operation of a plurality of trains including the train, the preceding train, and the following train.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A train operation control apparatus mounted on a train, the apparatus comprising:
 a range sensor to measure a train interval between a head of a following train traveling behind the train and a rear end of the train; and 
 an on-board control transmission apparatus to control operation of the train using the train interval when being instructed to start control using the train interval on the basis of an instruction from an operation management apparatus that controls operation of a plurality of trains including the train and the following train, 
 wherein an instruction to start control using the train interval is provided when transmission of position information from the train to a ground control apparatus is stopped, and 
 the train operation control apparatus further comprises: 
 a first range sensor to measure a first train interval between a rear end of a preceding train traveling ahead of the train and a head of the train; and 
 an on-board control apparatus to generate a stop pattern of the train on the basis of movement authority limit information acquired from the ground control apparatus and control operation of the train in accordance with the stop pattern, wherein 
 the range sensor is used as a second range sensor and the train interval measured by the second range sensor is used as a second train interval, 
 on the basis of an instruction acquired from the operation management apparatus, the on-board control transmission apparatus changes an operation mode of the train to a rescuing mode in which train operation is performed at a specified speed, and 
 in the rescuing mode, the on-board control apparatus calculates a head position of the preceding train using information on a train length of the preceding train and information on the first train interval, transmits information on the head position of the preceding train to the operation management apparatus, and operates the train at the specified speed using movement authority limit information acquired from the operation management apparatus. 
 
     
     
       2. The train operation control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when the head position of the preceding train reaches a specified stop position on a refuge track on which the preceding train is to be stopped, the on-board control apparatus stops the train. 
 
     
     
       3. The train operation control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when the preceding train stops on the basis of an instruction from the ground control apparatus, the on-board control apparatus stops the train so that the first train interval becomes equal to a third train interval specified. 
 
     
     
       4. An operation management apparatus comprising:
 a storage unit capable of storing position information on a plurality of trains acquired from a ground control apparatus that collects the position information on the plurality of trains; and 
 a control unit to, when position information on a first train is not acquired from the ground control apparatus for a specified period, instruct a second train that is a train traveling behind the first train to change a mode to a rescuing mode in which train operation is performed at a specified speed, and instruct the first train to change a mode to a rescued mode in which train operation is performed with a train interval between the first train and the second train being adjusted to a specified train interval, wherein 
 on the basis of the position information on the first train, the control unit controls a point machine to cause the first train to enter a refuge track, and when the first train stops at a specified movement authority limit on the refuge track, the control unit instructs the first train to change a mode to a refuge mode in which a stop state on the refuge track is continued, and instructs the second train to change a mode to a normal mode that corresponds to a normal operation state. 
 
     
     
       5. A train control system comprising:
 an operation management apparatus to, when position information on a first train is not acquired for a specified period from a ground control apparatus that collects position information on a plurality of trains, instruct a second train that is a train traveling behind the first train to change a mode to a rescuing mode in which train operation is performed at a specified speed, and instruct the first train to change a mode to a rescued mode in which train operation is performed with a train interval between the first train and the second train being adjusted to a specified train interval; 
 the second train to, while operating in the rescuing mode, measure a train interval between the first train and the second train using a range sensor, calculate a head position of the first train using information on a train length of the first train and information on the measured train interval, transmit information on the head position of the first train to the operation management apparatus, and perform train operation at the specified speed using movement authority limit information acquired from the operation management apparatus; and 
 the first train to, while operating in the rescued mode, measure a train interval between the first train and the second train using a range sensor, and perform train operation such that the measured train interval becomes equal to a specified train interval. 
 
     
     
       6. The train control system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 when the head position of the first train reaches a specified stop position on a refuge track on which the first train is to be stopped, the second train stops, 
 when the second train stops, the first train stops so that the measured train interval becomes equal to the specified train interval, and 
 the operation management apparatus controls a point machine to cause the first train to enter a refuge track, and when the first train stops at a specified movement authority limit on the refuge track, the operation management apparatus instructs the first train to change a mode to a refuge mode in which a stop state on the refuge track is continued, and instructs the second train to change a mode to a normal mode that corresponds to a normal operation state. 
 
     
     
       7. The train control system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 when the first train acquires a stop instruction from the ground control apparatus, the first train stops, 
 when the first train stops, the second train stops so that the measured train interval becomes equal to the specified train interval, and 
 the operation management apparatus controls a point machine to cause the first train to enter a refuge track, and when the first train stops at a specified movement authority limit on the refuge track, the operation management apparatus instructs the first train to change a mode to a refuge mode in which a stop state on the refuge track is continued, and instructs the second train to change a mode to a normal mode that corresponds to a normal operation state.